<p>Does anyone know where I can find information on medical school grading systems? For example, at Northwestern University I've heard that they grade on a curve so that the lowest 10% flunks every test no matter how high they score, whereas schools like OHSU also have letter grades (in the form of high honors, honors, pass, marginal pass) but do not grade on a curve. </p>
<p>Where can I find out more about this? And is what I've heard about Northwestern true? (I'm looking into their accelerated medical program, and I don't want to end up in a medical school that encourages cut-throat competition and secrecy when it comes to studying and getting grades)</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Yea. God forbid you have to be in the top 90% of your med school class to pass.</p>
<p>ooh. you wound me. But what I'm saying is, look, everyone that goes to med school is pretty darn smart, and the weeding out has already been done in premed. So if 90% of the people get a 90% on a test, and I get an 89%, should I be weeded out? No---because that sort of curve stifles cooperation.</p>
<p>Besides, I asked for facts, not sarcasm. If I wanted sarcasm I would go watch some TV.</p>
<p>The same argument can be made for undergrad. Everyone who gets into MIT is pretty smart. Does that mean its acceptance rate to med school should be 100%?</p>
<p>Doctors are entrusted with people's lives. I would want my doctor to be in the top 90% of his class. Med schools have done everything to stifle competition (eliminating grades, letting you take courses you fail over and over again until you pass, etc.). The dropout rate of med schools are relatively low. The fail rates on the USMLE exams are very low. Check out the pass rates on the bar exams for law school and you'll appreciate how easy it is to obtain a MD degree.</p>
<p>good point, still, from what i've heard from 2 of my friends who go to OHSU...they work together to study and if everyone gets a 90%, they all get A's. Think about it in another way: if everyone gets a 40%, they all fail at OHSU, whereas schools that grade on a curve could have a 40%, if it is the highest grade in the class, be an A.</p>
<p>I agree with you that once you get into medical school it's "easy" to get a degree...mainly because med students are so motivated to beging with. BUT, in a way, the curve doesn't make things harder. It just compares students to each other rather than what the teacher determines to be a reasonable test. </p>
<p>Once students get into medical school, I agree that it should be challenging, yet I also believe the school and its grading system should support them. Instead of inward competition, grading without a curve makes the students compete against what they don't know rather than each other.</p>
<p>(again, i'm not sure northwestern does this; i've just heard that it does. if anyone has facts, i'd live to have them. norcalguy and I are just having a philosophical debate. :) )</p>
<p>I'm 100% certain that this rumor at Northwestern is false. I visited there on October 11, the day after the first years had their big midterm.</p>
<p>i don't think so</p>
<p>most med schools are pass/fail</p>